Rookie Youmin Hwang Leads Blue Bay LPGA, as 22 First-Year Players Compete

Last week in Singapore saw a starry LPGA field with 17 of the top 20 players in the world competing. This week, the story has shifted towards the up and comers. The 108-player field only includes three players ranked in the top 20: China's own Ruoning Yin (No. 10), Hye-Jin Choi (15) and Blue Bay defending champion Rio Takeda (16).

With 22 rookies teeing it up at the Blue Bay LPGA, the odds of a rising star securing their first win, in their first season on Tour is certainly in our favor.

RELATED: Three LPGA Rookies Look to Make a Splash in China

While you were sleeping, the first round of the final leg of this early Asia swing got underway and the leaderboard is bunched.

Leading the way are Mary Liu, Weiwei Zhang, and Youmin Hwang who each carded an opening round of 6-under 66, to have a one-stroke advantage over three players sitting T-4. With the first 18 done, only four strokes separate the entire top 20.

Hwang is a 2026 rookie, and earned her status after winning the 2025 LOTTE Championship last fall. She's spearheading the way for her first-year peers, recording five birdies, one eagle, and one bogey to place herself in prime position.

The 22-year-old stands out amongst the co-leaders because this plot feels all too familiar. Flashback to one year ago, when it was Rio Takeda who won it, she was a rookie who had earned her spot on the LPGA through winning an event the prior season.

I had a feeling heading into this week that we'd get a first-time winner, or better yet another rookie winner and so far, so good.

It's weeks like this, that really give you a glimpse into the future of women's golf, and it's going to be a fun one heading into the weekend.

The Full List of Rookies Competing:

Camile Boyd

Briana Chacon

Anne Chen

Hailee Cooper

Mohan Du

Laney Frye

Melanie Green

Erika Hara

Youmin Hwang

Leah John

Dongeun Lee

Carolina Lopez-Chaccara

Emma McMyler

Carolina Melgrati

Mimi Rhodes

Cocona Sakurai

Erica Shepherd

Riley Smyth

Chiara Tamburlini

Suvichaya Vinjichaitham

Lauren Walsh

Yana Wilson